DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2015 EXCLUSIVES

GAME OF THRONES, FIGHT CLUB 2, AND MORE EXCLUSIVES AVAILABLE AT BOOTH #2615FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse is proud to announce its vast selection of exclusive merchandise for San Diego Comic-Con International 2015! From the anticipated HaloPelican Dropship Replica to variant covers by some of the most talented artists in the comics industry, including Becky Cloonan, Charlie Adlard, Joëlle Jones, and Colleen Coover, Dark Horse has fans covered!All exclusive merchandise will be available at the Dark Horse booth (#2615) over the course of SDCC 2015. Please note that there will be a fixed number of exclusives set aside for each day of the convention.

Check out the full roster of Dark Horse SDCC 2015 exclusives, along with quantity and price, below!

Join Dark Horse Comics at Wizard World Comic Con! We’ll be at the booth handing out giveaways and offering free signings with comics creators! Come check out our comics, books, and products for sale!

Special appearance in the Dark Horse booth from our friends at Happymatic Photo Booth! Come by with your friends or in cosplay and get your picture taken as a souvenir – for FREE!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Certain restrictions may apply. All events are subject to change.

SIGNINGS

Below are featured comics and the writers and artists who will be signing them. Free comics, prints, or posters will be available at each signing while supplies last. Comics will also be available for sale (availability pending).

Room: C120
Time: 6:30 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
Comics and graphic novels have come into their own as subjects worthy of—indeed, demanding—attention from academia. Historians and cultural theorists teach courses, hold conferences, and publish books on various aspects of sequential art, and colleges and universities teach courses in comics as literature and social history as well as how to make them. Here to give an overview of various ideas about and approaches to comics studies are a cross section of comics scholars and teachers, including Diana Schutz (longtime Dark Horse executive editor and instructor at Portland Community College), Shannon Wheeler (creator of Too Much Coffee Man and instructor at Portland State College of the Arts), Susan Kirtley (director of rhetoric and composition at Portland State University; author of Lynda Barry: Girlhood through the Looking Glass), and Jon Holt (assistant professor of Japanese literature and manga at Portland State University). The panel is moderated by Danny Fingeroth (Superman on the Couch, Disguised as Clark Kent).

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24

Buffy Birthday Party!

Room: C120
Time: 1:30 p.m.–2:15 p.m.
Dark Horse Comics is hosting a party celebrating Buffy Summers’s birthday (just a bit belatedly—her birthday is January 19)! At this special panel, there will be Buffy trivia, Buffy “Hush” Pictionary, and more—fun times with PRIZES! Plus, find out what it’s like to continue the Whedonverse in comics with Dark Horse editor Sierra Hahn, writer Christos Gage, and artist Rebekah Isaacs! Happy birthday, Buffy!

Dark Horse Manga: An Afternoon with Carl Horn
Room: C123
Time: 2:30 p.m.–3:15 p.m.
Dark Horse’s history with Japanese comics can be traced back to the company’s earliest years, with a legacy that includes such legendary series as Oh My Goddess!, Lone Wolf and Cub, Berserk, and many more! Today the publisher continues to print some of the industry’s best-selling titles, including Neon Genesis Evangelion, Oreimo: Kuroneko, Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, Satoshi Kon’s Opus, Unofficial Hatsune Mix (as seen on David Letterman), and the works of the creative powerhouse CLAMP. Join Dark Horse’s resident manga guru and editor extraordinaire, Carl Horn, for a look at the past, present, and future of manga at Dark Horse!

Dark Horse Builds Characters
Room: C120
Time: 4:30 p.m.–5:15 p.m.
Dark Horse Comics kicks off 2015 at Wizard World, right here in Portland! Join Dark Horse president and publisher Mike Richardson, editor in chief Scott Allie, publicist Aub Driver, and special guests for a sneak peek at some of the year’s most newsworthy comics and programs, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Archie vs. Predator, The Strain, and more!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25

Plants vs. Zombies!
Room: C120
Time: 1:30 p.m.–2:15 p.m.

Ready your PEASHOOTERS! Dark Horse Comics brought you the official Plants vs. Zombies comic series as well as The Art of Plants vs. Zombies, released in a partnership with PopCap Games, creators of the smash-hit video game. Now meet some of the people behind these hilarious, all-ages, action-filled zombie romps—Jeremy Vanhoozer, creative director of Plants vs. Zombies at PopCap; Paul Tobin, PVZ writer; PVZ artist Ron Chan; and Dark Horse PVZ editor Philip Simon!

All creators signing in our booth offer their autographs for FREE. FREE prints, comics, or posters are provided for most of our signings (while supplies last). You may purchase or bring items to be signed; however, we may restrict the type or number of items to be signed as necessary.

Some signings require a wristband for entry, as noted on the schedule. Drawings for wristbands for these events will begin at show opening the day before and day of each signing. Come to the Dark Horse booth early for the best chance to join these events.

Lines may also be closed for some signings due to crowding or time restrictions.

We have two signing stages: one featuring the art of Mike Mignola’s Hellboy; the other, the art of Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s The Strain. The location of each signing is indicated by the following abbreviations:

HB = Hellboy Signing Stage ST = The Strain Signing Stage

All events are subject to change. Some restrictions apply. Please see Dark Horse Comics staff if you have questions.

For a list of our SDCC 2014 exclusives click here! And to see all of Dark Horse’s SDCC 2014 announcements head here!

2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. HB AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER & THE LEGEND OF KORRA: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, Gene Luen Yang, Gurihiru, Jessie Flower (WRISTBAND REQUIRED. In addition to distribution by drawing on Friday and Saturday at show opening, there will be some wristbands given as prizes during the Avatar: The Last Airbender—Legend and Legacy panel on Saturday, July 26, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. in Room 24ABC.)

A franchise spanning literature, comics, film and television, board games, and widely popular video games, The Witcher has touched millions with its engaging characters and exciting adventures. A diverse panel of experts discuss the many aspects of this renowned universe. Be the first to see new Dark Horse publications, view the first-ever live consumer demo of the upcoming The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt video game, and get a chance to meet the team behind Wild Hunt. Panelists include actors Doug Cockle (Geralt of Rivia, The Witcher franchise), Dark Horse Comics authorPaul Tobin (The Witcher: House of Glass), Nick McWhorter, CD Projekt RED’s game developers Damien Monnierand Lukasz Wnek (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt), and Rafal Jaki. Moderated by Spike TV’s Geoff Keighley.

1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.

Drawing on Your Nightmares: Modern Horror in Comics

Room 23ABC

Hot on the heels of the premiere of the Dark Horse comic turned television series The Strain, you are invited to explore the darker corners of comics. Horror has been one of the cornerstones of the Dark Horse publishing line for years, and 2014 will be no exception! Join panelists for an hour of all that is guaranteed to thrill and chill you, with resident horror junkies—editor in chief Scott Allie and PR director Jeremy Atkins—along with Eric Powell (The Goon), Mike Huddleston (The Strain), the first US appearance of Colder artist Juan Ferreyra, and more for sneak peeks, announcements, and other surprises along the way!

4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Breaking into Comics and Staying In

Room 30CDE

With the shifting landscape of comics today, this is your invaluable guide to breaking into the industry. Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt (Marvel, IDW) is joined by writers Joshua Williamson (Ghosted, Nailbiter) andJoshua Hale Fialkov (The Ultimates, The Bunker), Dark Horse editor in chief Scott Allie (Hellboy), and IDW Publishing editor in chief Chris Ryall (Zombies vs. Robots) for what promises to be the best panel on breaking in ever!

6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

A Universe of Terror Drawn to One Panel: Aliens, Predator, Prometheus, and Beyond

Room 9

Nearly thirty years ago, Dark Horse rewrote the rules of licensed comics with the release of Aliens, continuing the story lines of Ridley Scott’s iconic film franchise. Predator and the iconic crossover Aliens vs. Predator followed, with each series a hit. Now, the publisher partners with Scott again, to bring sci-fi epic Prometheus to comics. With just under two months away from the launch of the ambitious and highly anticipated crossover Fire and Stone, Dark Horse editor in chief Scott Allie, writers Chris Roberson (Aliens), Joshua Williamson (Predator), Christopher Sebela (Aliens vs. Predator), and the Prometheus team of Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra reveal just what’s in store for this grand universe!

Friday, July 25, 2014

12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.

Spotlight on Mike Mignola

Room 24ABC

Comic-Con special guest Mike Mignola celebrates the twentieth anniversary of his iconic creation Hellboy, star of comics, movies, and animation. Ask Mike about the Mignolaverse in this casual Q&A.4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

The Art of Video Games

Room 7AB

A lot has changed since Dark Horse first released Mass Effect: Redemption #1 back in 2010. For the first time, video game franchises found a legitimacy in comics that had been practically unheard of. With a line of video game–related comics and deluxe art books, including the best-selling The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia, the publisher now works with some of the biggest studios and brands in the business. Join Dark Horse PR director Jeremy Atkins and editorDave Marshall, Neil Druckmann (Naughty Dog), Jeremy Vanhoozer (PopCap), Rafal Jaki (CD Projekt RED), Nick Thornborrow (Dragon Age), and writer Paul Tobin (Plants vs. Zombies, The Witcher) for news and announcements on all your favorite video game tie-ins!

6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

Comic Book Entrepreneurs: The Business of Comics

Room 9

A rare behind-the-scenes look as leading pop culture entrepreneurs share the secrets of building successful pop culture businesses! J. K. Parkin from Comic Book Resources and Robot 6 moderates an inspirational talk with comiXology co-founder and CEO David Steinberger, Harvey Award–nominated cartoonist Noelle Stevenson (Nimona, Lumberjanes), Dark Horse president and founder Mike Richardson, and Valiant CEO and chief creative officer Dinesh Shamdasani. It’s an inside look at the business side of pop culture no future comics entrepreneur can miss!

Dark Horse’s continuations of Joss Whedon’s cult favorites (Serenity, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel & Faith) remain some of the most-talked-about comics in the industry. Dark Horse is giving you an exclusive chance to hear all there is to tell about the current series of both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Serenity from the series’ top talent, with Dark Horse editor in chief Scott Allie, Buffy Season 10 writer Christos Gage and cowriter and actor Nicholas Brendon, Serenity artist Georges Jeanty, and TV and comics writer Jane Espenson.

2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Charting a Course: Developing the Next Mass Effect

Room 25ABC

Mass Effect developers from the Edmonton and Montreal studios discuss what it’s like to expand on a well-established and beloved video game franchise. Panelists Carl Boulay (lead animator), Fabrice Condominas (producer), Mike Gamble (producer), Noel Lukasewich (senior artist), and Jessica Merizan (community manager) share their experiences in shaping the next Mass Effect game with new possibilities while staying true to the critically acclaimed series. Moderated by Nerdist.com.

2:50 p.m.–3:50 p.m.

Frank Miller’s Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

Hall H

Dimension Films, in association with Aldamisa Entertainment, present exclusive footage from the highly anticipated sequel Frank Miller’s Sin City: A Dame to Kill For from acclaimed codirectors Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller. Fans will get to experience the Sin City universe and take part in a special discussion with Rodriguez, Miller, and members of the cast.

3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

30 Years of Usagi Yojimbo!

Room 28DE

Comic-Con special guest Stan Sakai, creator of Usagi Yojimbo, is interviewed by Dark Horse editor Diana Schutzabout the upcoming Senso miniseries, The Sakai Project, and the return of the regular Usagi series after a two-year hiatus.

4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.

Creepy & Eerie: 21st Century Horror

Room 24ABC

A ghoulish panel of horror freaks discuss the impact and influence of the classic Warren horror titles Creepy and Eerie on modern horror creators in film, TV, and of course, comics. Some special guests will add to your discomfort as Dark Horse announces plans for the fiftieth anniversary of Creepy. Moderated by Gemstone’s J. C. Vaughn (Overstreet Price Guide) and consulting editor and writer Dan Braun (Creepy). Panelists include sculptor Justin Mabry (Trick or Treat Studios), Chris Zephro (Trick or Treat Studios), and New Comic Company’s Josh Braun (Eerie). Throw in a couple of surprise Creepy artists and writers, and there’ll be quite a stew for you. Plus: awesome Creepy swag!

Sunday, July 27, 2014

10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

The Fifth Beatle: The Beatles, the Big Screen, and Beyond

Room 24ABC

One of the hottest graphic novels of 2013, The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story is now one of the most highly anticipated films, having secured the approval of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, and Olivia Harrison, along with unprecedented access to the entire Beatles music catalog. Fifth Beatle writer and producer Vivek J. Tiwary(Green Day’s American Idiot) introduces a series of very special guests for a discussion of The Fifth Beatle’s development and breaking news. Panel moderated by Patrick Reed (Depth of Field Magazine).

10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

The Emily the Strange Panel

Room 32AB

Join Emily the Strange creator Rob Reger and his cast of Strangers for their annual panel experience and get the insider scoop on the all-ages Dark Horse comic book series Emily and the Strangers, including sneak peeks at new artwork and story lines from upcoming issues. Hear some snippets of new tracks from Emily and the Strangers and see behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the “Calling All Guitars” animated music video. As always, audience participation will be encouraged and perhaps enforced with plenty of rewards for being strange . . . Oh yeah, and some Q&A with updates on the feature film development. Be there or get lost!

12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

Dark Horse Builds Characters: Tomorrow’s Comics Today

Room 24ABC

Nearly thirty years ago, Dark Horse arrived with an agenda different from that of any other publisher in comics. The young company was founded on the belief that comics creators should have the option to retain the rights to their own work, and it continues to be a highly fertile breeding ground for new characters, concepts, and more! Now, the publisher is poised to make headlines again with some of the biggest news about new original work since Frank Miller brought Sin City to the pages of Dark Horse Presents! Join panelists for an exclusive look at upcoming and unannounced creator-owned work from some of the biggest names in and outside the industry! This will be the comics panel everyone will be talking about at this year’s show!

1:45 p.m.–3:45 p.m.

The Strain

Hall H

Get a sneak peek at the third episode of FX’s brand-new series, The Strain. In episode 3, “Gone Smooth,” Eph and Nora fight to save Captain Redfern’s life before coming face to face with the horrifying effects of the virus. A spike in rat attacks signals Fet that something inexplicable is happening deep below the city. Released from jail, Setrakian begins his own merciless plan to stop the spread of the disease. Written by Chuck Hogan; directed by David Semel. After the screening, join series creators Guillermo del Toro (Pacific Rim) and Chuck Hogan and show runner Carlton Cuse(Lost), along with the cast members Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Mía Maestro, Sean Astin, Kevin Durand,Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Miguel Gomez, Ben Hyland, and Jack Kesy.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MILWAUKIE, OR – Following up on last week’s announcement of the first wave of Dark Horse’s 2014 Comic-Con exclusives comes the full slate of exclusive items based on the massively popular HBO series Game of Thrones! We have created not one, not two, but all three of Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons, an exclusive new map marker, and a new shield wall plaque! These items will make their debut at Comic-Con International, when doors open to the public on July 23!

The full list can be found below, and each item will be allocated for distribution throughout the show.

Game of Thrones: Convention Exclusive Bolton Map Marker

4″ tall hand-painted polyresin Bolton Map Marker. In Game of Thrones, we see Robb Stark plotting the movements of opposing armies using a map of Westeros and a set of map markers, each hewn into a representation of one of the house symbols. With our Map Marker Set, we have reproduced these items in their true size, using the actual props as reference. This limited-edition Bolton Map Marker is an additional piece only available at San Diego Comic-Con International.

DARK HORSE UNVEILS THE FIRST WAVE OF 2014 COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL EXCLUSIVE BOOKS AND PRODUCTS!

The year’s most anticipated event will host more exclusive Dark Horse merchandise than ever before!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MILWAUKIE, OR – July means the most anticipated event of the year in pop culture is just weeks away! As we rapidly approach the doors opening to the world on July 23, Dark Horse announces the first wave of 2014 SDCC exclusives, available in the expanded Exclusives Store at booth #2615!

Dark Horse has produced more items than EVER for this year’s show, as well as secured a few other extremely limited edition items from our partners!

The list can be found below, available only at the Dark Horse 2014 Exclusives Store at Comic-Con International!

Look for news on the latest items in our line of products based on HBO’s Game of Thrones™ produced exclusively for Comic Con in the coming days!

A set number of exclusives and limited editions will be portioned for each day of the show.

1. Itty Bitty Hellboy Plush: 2014 San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive

7.25″ tall plush version of the colorful cartoon treatment of Mike Mignola’s characters by Art Baltazar and Franco featuring an San Diego Comic Con International logo t-shirt.

Price: $15.00

Production Run: 500

Limit: Two per person

2. Mass Effect Alliance Cruiser: Convention Exclusive Bronze Edition

9″ long polyresin bronze finished Alliance Cruiser. Dark Horse has utilized digital assets direct from Bioware to faithfully capture all details in transforming this ship from a digital creation into our physical world.

In the forties, Captain Midnight was an American hero, a daredevil fighter pilot, a technological genius . . . a superhero. Since he rifled out of the Bermuda Triangle and into the present day, Captain Midnight has been labeled a threat to homeland security. Can Captain Midnight survive in the modern world, with the US government on his heels and an old enemy out for revenge?

Captain Midnight Volumes 1 and 2 are featured in a deluxe convention exclusive slipcase.

After saving the world in The Storm and the Fury but sacrificing himself and Great Britain, Hellboy is dead, cast into Hell, where he finds many familiar faces and a throne that awaits him. This deluxe hardcover treatment mirrors the recently released 20 Years of Hellboy hardcover, and fits beautifully next to it and the previous Library Editions.

Price: $40.00

Print Run: 1,200

Limit: Two per person

7. EVE: Source Limited Edition

EVE: Source is your comprehensive source book and visual guide to the gargantuan universe experienced in EVE Online and DUST 514. Published by Dark Horse Comics and developed in close collaboration with the EVE and DUST 514 creative teams, this beautiful 200-page, full color hardcover will immerse readers in the history and lore of EVE through stunning artwork and never-before-released material detailing the settings, stories, races, and factions of the EVE Universe.

The Limited Edition contains: A beautiful black clamshell protective box with an embossed silver logo, two lithographs by EVE artists Borkur Eiriksson and Georg Hilmarsson in a protective sleeve, an anodized aluminum commemorative and numbered plaque embedded in the protective box, a unique CCP “source” code redeemable on the EVE Account Management site (https://secure.eveonline.com/).

The limited edition is bound in matte black JVP with embossed silver logo.

An 18″ x 20″ Usagi Yojimbo lithograph signed by creator Stan Sakai to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Usagi Yojmbo.

Price: $20.00

Print Run: 300

Limit: Two per person

9. Itty Bitty Hellboy Convention Exclusive Hardcover

Witness the awesomeness that is Hellboy! The characters that sprung from Mike Mignola’s imagination, with an Aw Yeah Art Baltazar and Franco twist! This book has all the fun, adventure, and Aw Yeah-ness in one itty bitty package! That’s a true story right there. Collects Itty Bitty Hellboy #1–#5 in a hardcover edition exclusive to conventions.

Price: $20.00

Print Run: 1,000

Limit: Five per person

10. The Witcher #1 Convention Variant Cover

Legendary artist Stan Sakai has done a special cover of the tie-in series The Witcher, a canonical entry in the world of the Witcher video games, which have collectively won over 250 awards and sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide! All proceeds from the sale of this limited edition variant will benefit Stan and Sharon Sakai.

Note: Most copies will be released for sale on Thursday, but a set quantity will be set aside for sale on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings.

SIGNINGS

Below are featured comics and the writers and/or artists who will be signing them. Free comics, prints, or posters will be available at each signing while supplies last. Comics will also be available for sale, availability pending.

Fred Van Lente has done it all. With work ranging from semieducational funnies to superhero reboots, he is widely regarded as one of the most unique voices in modern comics. Did we mention zombies? He’s done that too. Now, join us for a look back at his storied career so far, as well as a glimpse into what’s next for comics’ rising star, with announcements and more!

Saturday, June 7

12:00–1:00 p.m.ElfQuest: The Final Quest (North 129a)

For the last 35 years, Wendy and Richard Pini have delighted fans with one of alternative comics’ most rich and storied worlds. Now, in partnership with Dark Horse, the Wolfriders embark on the “Final Quest,” to fulfill a destiny over three decades in the making!

3:00–4:00 p.m.Drawing on Your Nightmares: Modern Horror in Comics!

(North 129b)

One of the cornerstones of the Dark Horse publishing line since the early years has been an original take on the horror genre. Now, join us for a look at what’s to come in this year’s lineup with a cast of writers and artists who are poised to thrill you and chill you. Christopher Golden (Baltimore), Chris Roberson (Aliens), Alex de Campi (Grindhouse), Tyler Crook (Witchfinder), Mike Huddleston (The Strain), and Christopher Mitten (Criminal Macabre) are joined by Dark Horse’s own Aub Driver for a discussion on “bringing scary back.”

3:00–4:00 p.m.The Fifth Beatle (West 211)

The Fifth Beatle is a graphic novel about the Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein, written by Vivek Tiwary. Vivek talks about the graphic novel (a 2014 Eisner Award nominee) and the upcoming movie based upon it.

Sunday, June 8

12:00–1:00 p.m. 30 Years and Counting: Comics Classics in the Modern Age (ElfQuest: 1978; Nexus: 1981, Groo: 1982) (North 128b)

In the late 1970s and early ’80s, some of the most inventive and inspired alternative comics found a place on shelves. ElfQuest offered a unique vision of black and white fantasy, while Nexus gave readers a version of the superhero idea more rooted in science fiction than capes and cowls. Meanwhile, Groo the Wanderer took a humorous take on the sword and sorcery genre, popularized by the likes of Conan the Barbarian in the previous decade. Over 30 years later, we pay tribute to some of comics’ longest-running ongoing collaborations for a discussion with the creators themselves! Join Richard and Wendy Pini (ElfQuest), Mike Baron (Nexus), and Mark Evanier (Groo) as they share the secrets to the success of a few of comics’ most revered story lines!

Acclaimed Comics Publisher Hosts Gail Simone and Other Famous Artists and Writers in Panels, Booth Appearances and Signings

Scott Allie to Lead Discussion in Three Panel Presentations

Norwalk, CT, April 15, 2014: Dark Horse Comics, the renowned comics publisher, will have a major presence at the upcoming C2E2 which is organized by ReedPOP, the leading producer of pop culture events. ReedPOP officials note that in addition to a large booth centrally located on the show floor, Dark Horse plans to host three panels featuring Gail Simone, Art Baltazar, and Geoff Darrow, among other top talent who will also be appearing on panels and in the Dark Horse booth to greet fans. In addition, the publisher notes that it will have many giveaways, lots of free comics, and back to back free signings all day every day. Dark Horse Editor-in-Chief Scott Allie will host the panels and will lead discussion on a range of subjects sure to please the thousands of fans who annually attend the leading pop culture event. C2E2 will take place in Chicago, April 25 – 27 in the South Building at McCormick Place Convention Center.

“It is fantastic that Dark Horse is bringing so much talent and creative energy to our show,” notes Lance Fensterman, Global Vice President for ReedPOP. “C2E2 has grown enormously since our first show five years ago and while it’s cool to know that we have built an event where top artists, writers and other creative talent in the comics world can mingle comfortably with so many fans, none of it would have been possible without the support of leading publishers like Dark Horse. I am grateful to them for all the talent and entertainment they provide. This year is their best ever!”

Gail Simone has been making waves since her arrival on the comics scene with a column on Comic Book Resources. Since then, she has written some of the most iconic runs on such titles as Birds of Prey, Batgirl, Red Sonja, and most recently Tomb Raider for Dark Horse. In honor of this new ongoing, and the collection of her Kickstarter-funded Leaving Megalopolis series, Dark Horse Editor-in-Chief, Scott Allie leads a career-spanning discussion on one of comics’ most accomplished writers.

Art & Franco have taken some of comics’ most well-known characters and reimagined them for fans of all ages. To celebrate the anniversary last year’s announcement of the recently collected Itty Bitty Hellboy at C2E2, as well as the upcoming collection of this dynamic duo’s Kickstarter-funded Aw Yeah Comics!, we have put together an hour of fun, announcements, and much more! Bring your big ideas for a chance to woo Dark Horse EIC Scott Allie in the “one minute pitch!” Find out which Dark Horse characters the two will tack next, and much much more! This one is guaranteed to be fun for the whole fan family!

In 2014, comics are more diverse than ever, and Dark Horse continues to pride itself on producing the greatest serialized storytelling from some of the biggest names in the industry! From Hellboy to Buffy to Luke and Leia, some of the most iconic characters in comics and beyond call Dark Horse home. Join us as we talk character development with writers who tell their tales! Editor in Chief, Scott Allie is joined by Project Black Sky scribes Josh Williamson (Captain Midnight) and Joshua Hale-Fialkov (Skyman), as well comics legend, Geof Darrow (Shaolin Cowboy), Eric Powell (The Goon), Tim Seeley (Sundowners, The Occultist) and newcomer Donny Cates (Buzzkill) for insight, announcements, and much much more!

ABOUT REEDPOPReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions, which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) Prime, East and Australia, Star Wars Celebration, Special Edition: NYC, Oz Comic-Con and the UFC Fan Expo. In 2013 ReedPOP (has) added Star Wars Celebration Europe and PAX Australia to its rapidly expanding portfolio of international events. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia/Pacific (including Australia). (www.reedpop.com)

ABOUT DARK HORSE
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Geof Darrow, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, including The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Halo, Serenity, The Legend of Zelda, Game of Thrones, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

Years ago, the Killjoys fought against the tyrannical megacorporation Better Living Industries, costing them their lives, save for one – the mysterious Girl. Today, the followers of the original Killjoys languish in the Desert while BLI systematically strips citizens of their individuality. As the fight for freedom fades, it’s left to the Girl to take up the mantle and bring down the fearsome BLI!

Collects The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #1-#6 and ‘Dead Satellites’ from Free Comic Book Day 2013.

From Gerard Way, creator of the Eisner Award-winning The Umbrella Academy!

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 14, 2014) Hero Initiative, the non-profit organization that helps comic book creators in medical and financial need, hits the Emerald City Comic con in Seattle, Wa. March 28-30 at the Washington State Convention center.

And we’re bringing our party hats! Hero is celebrating 30 years of Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo at a party sponsored by Multiversity Comics and Dark Horse Comics! The party takes place at Rock Bottom Brewery, 1333 5th Avenue in Seattle, just four blocks from the convention center! Be there Friday March 28 at 8:00pm. Tickets are $10 at the door for this 21-and-over event. You can take party pics there at Seattle’s Facebooth (a photobooth worthy of your face!) and enter a raffle with great prizes to benefit Stan and Sharon Sakai!

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $500,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.

MILWAUKIE, OR, MARCH 13—As the pop culture world gears up for Seattle’s Emerald City Comicon, Dark Horse announces not one, not two, not even three, but four variant covers for this year’s show!

The first few months of 2014 will see some of Dark Horse’s biggest launches of the year, and we have chosen to celebrate with Emerald City variants for Serenity #1, Buffy #1, Veil #1, and a very special variant of Witcher #1.

First up is Veil, the much-talked-about new, original series by Greg Rucka and Toni Fejzula. For this year’s show, Dark Horse has tapped J. H. Williams III to create the variant cover. Limited to 500 copies, Veil #1 is sure to go quickly, especially with writer Greg Rucka in attendance!

Next, we have the hotly anticipated Season 10 premiere of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with a variant cover by Season 9 cover artist Phil Noto, limited to 1,000 copies. Look for interior artist Rebekah Isaacs at this year’s show!

Another one for Joss Whedon fans: Dark Horse brings Jenny Frison on for a special cover of Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #1, featuring none other than the lovely Inara! A few lucky fans may even get actress Morena Baccarin herself to sign their copies!

Last, and certainly not least, legendary artist Stan Sakai has done a special cover of the upcoming tie-in series The Witcher, a canonical entry in the world of the Witcher video games, which have collectively won over 250 awards and sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide! All proceeds from the sale of this limited edition variant will benefit Stan and Sharon Sakai. Stan will be attending the show, in celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of his landmark series, Usagi Yojimbo!

Each variant-cover issue will cost five dollars and will be limited to ten copies per person, per day! A set quantity will be available at the show opening each day.

Hope to see you at this year’s Emerald City Comicon in Seattle, WA, on March 28–30!

About Emerald City Comicon
With a record-breaking attendance of over 64,000 attendees in 2013, Emerald City Comicon has established itself as one of North America’s largest and most respected conventions of its kind anywhere in the world and has become the premier comic event in the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 2003, ECCC is highly regarded in both national and international circles as one of the most fan- and family-friendly shows in existence. More information about ECCC is available at: www.emeraldcitycomicon.com

About Dark Horse
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Geof Darrow, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, including The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Halo, Serenity, The Legend of Zelda, Game of Thrones, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.